Korean Information Service, The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said Monday (April 23) it will assume control of the country's first military communications satellite from a private company.
“The military will serve as the main controller of the Mugunghwa-5 satellite for six months from Tuesday, with KT Corp. as assistant controller,” the JCS said.
It is the first time for the South Korean military to take control of a satellite, it added.
South Korea put the satellite, built by French company Alcatel, into orbit last August to boost its ability to gather intelligence on North Korea. The military signed a deal with KT, South Korea's leading telecommunication service operator, to jointly control the satellite.
The satellite is not in service yet, however, as the country has not completed work on ground facilities.
“The military will be able to start using it around the end of this year,” a JCS official said. “Six months later, KT will serve as the main controller of the satellite again for one year, and then the military and the company will re-consult on their future roles.”
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